BJ:
My car acted EXACTLY like yours. ('77 with Lucas
points) .. I converted to an electronic ignition and
bought all new ignition parts including rotor, cap,
wires, plugs, coil, etc. And the new ignition system
was a definate improvement in power and performance.
My timing and idle were much improved. But to my
astonishment, the car still occassionally died,
especially at high rpms and in the heat...
Finally, one day, I pulled the fuel line off the carb
inlet. I hooked a fuel pressure gauge up (actually T'd
it in so I could read pressure while running/driving
the car). My readings were erratic from .5 lbs under
heavy load to 3.0 pounds at idle. My car was starving
for fuel and would die out under acceleration when the
carb. bowl would empty.
Back at the garage, I actually pulled the fuel line
off the carb and turned the key on. I just installed a
new electric fuel pump several weeks prior. I couldn't
believe it but barely a trickle of gas would seep from
the line. It should have been pouring out. I had a new
fuel pump and also A NEW micron in-line filter
installed.
I concluded there was some sort of line obstruction,
probably in the old metal line which runs along the
frame. I bypassed it, running new hose direct from the
pump to the carb and my car has run great ever since.
You should make sure you entire fuel system is clean,
including the tank...
Good luck, I hope you find the problem.
--Rick
--- BJ Martin <bj_martin@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have had a couple of ignition pieces in my parts
> pile that I may want to
> put into use. First the problem - my '77 1500 is
> running really well
> overall; however, on a recent 300 mile trip the car
> stranded me on the
> roadside twice (going and coming). The first time,
> it lost power and died
> shortly after leaving a toll booth where I had to
> idle in oppressive heat.
> While the temp guage didn't heat up much, I guessed
> that the engine bay in
> general did and the problem was vapor lock. After a
> short convenient stay at
> Burger King and some foil coverings for the fuel
> line. The car fired up and
> we went on to our destination. On the home trip,
> while at speed (70-75) the
> car lost power a couple of times (did not die but
> would not hold speed and
> would not accelerate) for a few moments. It then
> "recovered" and would run
> strong. Again shortly after leaving the toll booth,
> again in oppressive
> heat, it lost power and died. This time no Burger
> King, no ice cream and no
> timely restart. Finally after 2 hours in blazing
> heat on the edge of I80
> (the Indiana Highway Patrol were really very nice),
> the car fired up and
> cruised home without incident. Other than these 2
> strandings, I have rarely
> noted momentary "drops" in power. To me it feels as
> though the engine did
> fire but didn't derive any power from it (ie the
> "cycle" seems unchanged but
> the car loses "drive" for a moment). I again have
> experienced this under the
> hottest conditions.
>
> So I am less convinced that I have a vapor lock
> problem. Based on previous
> posts I've seen, I am suspecious that this problem
> may be due to the 22 year
> old Lucas Electronic Ignition and am willing to
> replace it to save me future
> hassles.
>
> Back to the parts pile - I have a Crane XR700
> ignition module (also has
> C.A.R.B. D-47 2&3 on it) but I do not have any parts
> after the 3-prong plug
> (ie the distributor end). Is this the proper model
> for my car? and Any ideas
> on where to get the "missing" parts? Also, the
> module is wired to a Lucas
> coil. This coil has no label nor markings on it but
> is painted gold. Is this
> a Lucas "Sport" coil?
>
> Thanks for your ideas,
> brent
>
>
>
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